New Cars for 2012: Mazda Full Lineup Info

Charting the changes for the 2012 model year.

CX-5: Mazda’s Minagi concept from this year’s Geneva show previewed this smallest CX model, on sale in March. Like the other CXs, the CX-5 aims to be a fashionable, street-agile SUV with an emphasis on weight reduction and fuel economy using Mazda’s new family of SKYACTIV engines and transmissions [see Tech Tidbit].

Mazda 2: Mileage ratings for Mazda’s hatchback petro-sipper go up by 1 mpg on automatic-equipped cars, to 28 mpg city and 34 highway.

Mazda 3: A mild face lift swaps out the headlights and taillights, but a reshaped grille retains the Bozo grin. The real news is a third engine added to the lineup, the 155-hp, SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder wedged between the base 2.0-liter and the top 2.5-liter. The sedan sees all three engines; the five-door will see all but the base 2.0-liter. The 155-hp SKYACTIV-G is the fuel-economy play, thanks to a new, lighter six-speed manual and an optional SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic. Also, the suspension has been retuned to deliver sharper handling

Mazda 5: Redesigned for 2012, Mazda’s mini-minivan is the one vehicle to make it to production before the company canned its Nagare styling initiative. The new interior feels more posh, and the 157-hp 2.5-liter and optional six-speed manual make this the only vehicle on the U.S. market with dual sliding doors and a clutch pedal. Prices start at $20,000.

Minor trim changes: Mazdaspeed 3, MX-5 Miata

Unchanged: CX-7, CX-9, 6

Dead: RX-8, Tribute

Mazda SKYACTIV 2.0-liter 4-cylinder

A new engine family debuting in the Mazda 3 blurs the line between gas and diesel powerplants. The first SKYACTIV design out of the chute is a 2.0-liter, DI gas version boasting a 13.0:1 compression ratio. Power rises from 148 hp to 155; torque increases to 148 pound-feet from the 135 of the outgoing engine. With a new SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed auto, the engine helps the Mazda 3 sedan score 28 city/40 highway. A 2.2-liter SKYACTIV diesel, with a lower-than-usual 14.0:1 compression ratio, is scheduled for 2013.